Collaboration 101 Information compiled by Tchelet Segev, Angeles National Forest Powerhouse Fire Settlement Coordinator Feather River Stewardship Coalition 1 Acknowledgements Many Forest Service and collaborative points of contact provided the information contained in this report. Additional information was gathered courtesy of collaborative websites and other Forest Service staff. Almost all general collaboration guidance were taken from the Pacific Northwest Region’s Collaborative Directory: Pacific Northwest Region U.S. Forest Service. Collaborative Directory. U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. June 2017. https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd 567241.pdf 2 Acronyms BLM Bureau of Land Management CCI California Climate Investments CE Categorical Exclusion CFLR Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration DM Decision Memo EIS Environmental Impact Statement FS (or USFS) Forest Service FSC Fire Safe Council NEPA National Environmental Policy Act NF National Forest NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NPS National Park Service NRCS National Resources Conservation Service MSA Master Stewardship Agreement R5 Region 5 (equivalent to the Pacific Southwest Region) RCD Resource Conservation District USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service WO Washington Office 3 What is Collaboration? Collaboration… is a process in which people with diverse views work together to achieve a common purpose. It involves sharing information and ideas to expand everyone’s knowledge of a topic or project, while identifying areas of agreement and disagreement, and working together to identify new and better ways of moving forward. Although it requires time and commitment up front, collaboration can make planning, decision making, and management more effective and more wildly supported. Collaboration is appropriate… When: ▪ Working on complex projects where competing objectives exist ▪ Common values exist around the issue ▪ There are people with interests at stake ▪ Forest Service and non-governmental leaders are present ▪ A decision maker is available and supportive ▪ Adequate resources are available 4 Pacific Northwest Region U.S. Forest Service, 2017 Collaboration Roles Partners include… Forest Service roles… There is a wide diversity of entities Can include: participating in collaboratives. ▪ Non-decision making Categories of partners that participant currently participate in ▪ Subject matter expert collaboratives include: ▪ Forest Service process interpreter Local, national, and international ▪ Internal communications environmental non-profits, ▪ Outreach and relationship resource conservation districts leader (RCDs), fire safe councils (FSCs), ▪ Project proponent city and county representatives or ▪ Facilitator council members, concerned ▪ Collaboration leader residents, private landowners, timber companies, utility Pacific Northwest Region U.S. Forest Service, 2017 companies, local, state, and federal natural resource and land management agencies and departments, tribal government or representatives, local businesses, local fire departments, academic institutions, and more. 5 Defining “Collaborative” A group that works together to plan and/or implement work on a defined area of Forest Service lands and potentially adjacent lands or lands with a nexus to Forest Service lands; A group of at least two distinct entities, in addition to the Forest Service, that represents diverse, and often cross- boundary, interests; A group that has documented intention to work together over the long-term on more than one project; A group that meets regularly and is nonexclusive, allowing new entities to join. 6 All lands vs. Public Lands Collaboratives All Lands: Collaborative groups that discuss projects and issues with an approach to land management that look beyond National Forest land boundaries. Using an all lands approach includes planning and management that considers the contributions of state, private, tribal, citizen groups, and other land owner management and connectedness to Forest Service lands. An all lands approach does not mean that the Forest Service makes land management decisions on non-Forest Service lands. Public Lands: Collaborative groups that discuss projects and issues as they relate to areas within the boundaries of Federal public lands only. These collaborative groups still have members representing a diversity of interests, and organizations, but their issue focus is mainly on federally owned public lands. 7 Pacific Northwest Region U.S. Forest Service, 2017 5 Benefits of Collaboration More information Sharing the process helps create a better understanding among all parties Better decisions More informed, more creative, more opportunity for dialogue Better outcomes When projects are well balanced between social, ecological and economic needs More support For projects when a network of people are invested in the outcome Less conflict When misunderstandings are addressed and trust is built 8 Pacific Northwest Region U.S. Forest Service, 2017 5 Benefits of Collaboration Detailed More information ▪ Develop a deeper understanding of different interests and positions ▪ Tap into a wider range of information sources and access the best available information ▪ Learn what knowledge, skills, and resources are available to help achieve a goal Better decisions ▪ Identify creative new approaches to address problems and achieve goals ▪ Use the best available data and draw on a deeper understanding of issues ▪ Know what actions are highest priority and least likely to encounter resistance Better outcomes ▪ Design projects that address and balance ecological, social, and economic needs ▪ Achieve larger-landscape projects that would not otherwise be possible ▪ Leverage resources to implement more public land management projects More support ▪ Build a network of people who share information and resources and work together to solve problems and implement projects ▪ Build public support for agency decisions and actions ▪ Build redundancy – reduce reliance on a few individuals Less conflict ▪ Identify and address misunderstandings and resolve conflicts before decisions are made ▪ Increase trust in an agency that is viewed as open, transparent, and accountable ▪ Receive fewer legal challenges and withstand legal challenges 9 Pacific Northwest Region U.S. Forest Service, 2017 When to Use a Collaborative Process Complex situation Are there a number of different, possibly competing, objectives? Are there controversial issues involved? Is there lack of support for or likely opposition to desired actions? Is the best way to proceed unclear? Room for agreement Do stakeholders share some common values around the issues? Are there opportunities for agreement that do not involve changing organizational missions or agency mandates? Willing participants Are the people who stand the most to lose and those who stand the most to gain willing to participate? Are stakeholders willing to explore different approaches to meeting their objectives? Leadership Is there someone willing to advocate for trying a new approach? Is there an entity who everyone trusts willing to lead the effort? Is there someone who can inspire others to work together and think creatively? Decision-maker support Are people with decision-making authority supportive of using a collaborative process? Do decision-makers agree to seriously consider using ideas that emerge from collaborative group discussions? Adequate resources Is everyone willing to commit the time required to work through the issues? Is there enough time to work through issues before a decision must be made? Is there funding available to hire a neutral facilitator if needed? Are there resources available to bring in people or information needed to adequately address the issues? 10 Pacific Northwest Region U.S. Forest Service, 2017 Collaboration in R5 The Pacific Southwest Region is committed to continuing to engage with collaboratives. Collaboration is an opportunity to meet local community priorities, increase the safety and sustainability of our communities, engage in cross-boundary projects, restore ecosystems, build capacity, promote exchange of ideas and sharing of resources, and more. As the Forest Service looks to increase the pace and scale of restoration and fire prevention, partners must be engaged so that impact is maximized across large landscapes. Nearly every National Forest in Region 5 works with at least one collaborative or is in the process of jointly establishing a collaborative with partners. With 27 collaboratives in Region 5, there is a wide range of projects being implemented. Here, you can find information on each collaborative, including their mission, the work they are doing with the Forest Service, achievements, and areas of expertise. Collaborative overviews also provide contact information and websites for more information. 11 The Collaboratives Alpine Biomass Committee 12 Alpine Biomass Committee (ABC) Stanislaus, El Dorado, and Humboldt-Toiyabe (R4) National Forests & Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit MISSION The Alpine Biomass Committee aims to unify partners, promote forest and watershed health, and strive for sustainable local economic development for Alpine County. WORK WITH FOREST SERVICE Historically, there has been little coordination between the different land managers, or between the land managers and non-government organizations, but it is better to collaborate so that each organization’s projects compliments the FACTS other projects. The ABC facilitates